Should You Refinish or Replace Your Hardwood Floors?

Is your hardwood floor looking scuffed up? Homeowners love hardwood floors for their warm, inviting appearance, but this eventually fades with time. You may be wondering which is the best option for your case: to refinish the floor or invest in new hardwood floor installation? Most of the time, refinishing is the better option. Let’s look at the benefits of hardwood flooring repair.

Why refinishing is usually better

One reason Santa Cruz, CA homeowners favor hardwood floors is that they last a long time. A high-quality hardwood floor can be sanded down and refinished several times before it needs to be replaced. When you refinish the floor, it’s easy to change the color and replace any stained, warped or otherwise damaged planks. You can also make squeaky boards quiet and easily fill in gaps and patch knots.

When replacement is the better choice

Before you decide refinishing is best in your situation, there are a few other factors to consider. Refinishing a hardwood floor is going to take plenty of time. You’ll need to remove everything from the room, including all the furniture. Any structural or cosmetic repairs need to be done prior to coating and staining. The room will be off limits for a week.

Refinishing also produces a lot of dust, and the smell associated with it isn’t pleasant. The reality is that some Santa Cruz, CA homeowners figure that if they’re going through all this hassle, then it’s only worth it if they have a fresh, new floor to enjoy.

When the floors can’t be refinished

Beyond aesthetic considerations, there are also instances when flooring damage isn’t easily fixed by refinishing. Here are some times when you’ll want to go with hardwood floor installation instead:

• Severe floor damage: If more than a third of the flooring boards have been damaged, such as through warping, chipping, staining or insect infestation, then you’re better off going with replacement. A refinishing job pays lower dividends, as more of the floor needs to be replaced.
• Structural damage: In this case, you need to directly address the root of the problem. This may require ripping up the floor to get a better look at its framing. The problem could be linked to underfloor damage, meaning refinishing isn’t an option.
• Extreme wear: When you refinish a floor too many times, there will wind up being grooves in the planks and nails. Sanding the wood down could reveal even more problems, which means replacement will end up being required.
• Movement: If boards are wiggling and moving around, refinishing won’t address the problem. In fact, it could make it even worse, with larger gaps between the boards.

If you’re not certain about whether hardwood floor repair, refinishing or installation is the best option for your home, it’s best to ask the pros. When you want the classic luxury appeal of hardwood for your Santa Cruz, CA home, The Wholesale House is here to help. We offer a wide range of hardwood flooring styles, along with expertise in the field. For beautiful flooring for your home, stop in or contact us today to learn more about what we have to offer.

Categorised in: Hardwood Flooring

This post was written by Writer